Steve Quirk, Robinhood's chief brokerage officer, spoke at Benzinga's Fintech Deal Day & Awards about the company's role in democratizing trading. He highlighted the accessibility of advanced trading technology for retail traders, which is now available for free, allowing even those with minimal funds to start investing. Quirk criticized the 'paternalistic state' for underestimating younger investors and emphasized the importance of education. He also noted Robinhood's evolution alongside its customers, with many seeking additional services like retirement planning and earning yield.